Inhibitory Effects of Various Extracts of Argentine Plant Species on Free-radical-mediated Reactions and Human Neutrophil Functions

Extracts of Argentine plant species used in folk medicine were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and ability to influence human neutrophil functions, including superoxide anion release and degranulation. The infusion and methanol extract of Achyrocline flaccida, and the infusion of Pterocaulon polystachium exhibited chain-breaking antioxidant activity in Fe 2+ /ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomal fractions and scavenged peroxyl radicals in an aqueous assay system. Nevertheless their superoxide scavenging ability was lower. The dichloromethane extracts of Phyllanthus sellowianus, Achyrocline flaccida, Gamochaeta simplicicaulis, Pterocaulon polystachium and E…